Thousands are still without power in Los Angeles after a triple-digit heat wave prompted high demand for electricity this past week. Although Summer is still peak time for selling houses, potential buyers sometimes are less likely to venture out to view homes because they’re distracted by barbecues and vacations to escape the extreme temperatures in Los Angeles. Here, Realtor.com offers five smart home-selling tips to lure buyers through your door during the busy summertime season.
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Turn your open house into a summer party
If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em…after all, attending a barbecue or pool party sounds a lot more fun than an open house, right? Advertise your open house as a party, complete with lemonade and iced tea, as well as summer-themed appetizers or sliders cooked up on the grill. Timing also can make a difference here. Instead of holding your bash at midday, wait until the evening when the temperatures are cooler and people are ready to venture out to a house party.
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Embrace rush-hour traffic
Many Saturday and Sunday afternoon open houses can wind up nearly empty due to would-be buyers spending long weekends out of town. Choosing an alternative time frame might turn that around. During the summer months, holding rush-hour open houses—on Thursdays from 4-6 p.m. when people likely are heading out of town for the weekend, for example—can be highly successful. This creates a chance for buyers to view the property during a time that may be more convenient for them.
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Shine a spotlight on the outdoor space
Nothing’s more appealing on a hot summer day than a backyard pool. Play up this feature and other outdoor amenities to convince buyers that this is the warm weather oasis they deserve. Also be sure to keep the patio areas, pool and outdoor furniture clean, and to incorporate cushions, towels, lanterns and string lights, to entice buyers to want to re-create the charming atmosphere for their family and friends.
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Create a community event
Try hosting a summer block party at the front of the property, rather than in the backyard, to invite more attention and foot traffic from neighbors and others passing by. Choose a theme—such as a luau or a summer barbecue—and include entertainment for kids. Make sure to design and pass out event fliers around the neighborhood days in advance. And also consider renting food trucks to help serve your guests. As you mingle with guests, invite them to take a tour of the property and ask them to spread the word to friends and neighbors.
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Advertise early, often and offline
People sometimes become unplugged from their devices during the summer, so advertising online well in advance will help give them the heads-up to clear their schedule for an open house. To capture more attention offline, place signs on roadways headed toward the beach, campgrounds and other popular summertime destinations. Add extras such as balloons to draw even more attention, and make sure that buyers know that it doesn’t take long to get to your property so they can pop in quick if they’re on their way somewhere.